Slow down and take a drive beneath canopies of live oaks on Lowcountry roads

“You’re a bit late, brother!”

I was on my way to town on an errand and as I passed a truck and trailer pulled over on May River Road. I could see items being removed or replaced in the back by the driver. As I completed my errand I realized slowly that the load in the trailer must have shifted so I turned around to try and lend a hand.

As I pulled up to see if I could be of assistance, I recognized the driver as a fellow Blufftonian who was just completing his task. He wiped the heat of a summer morning from his brow and remarked on the slow timing of my offer to help. The laid-back pace of life of the “Slowcountry” had claimed another victim.

The slow counting of time in the Lowcountry can also be a very good thing, however, especially when it comes to appreciating that ever-present sentinel of the region, the live oak. These trees can live for centuries and are most often found lining roads and byways where they were spared the woodcutters saw and formed shady avenues for farm roads or plantation homes.

Even with progress and development there are several picturesque lanes in the area that have been spared and can provide a wonderful driving destination if you have an hour or two to spare. You may follow a route suggested by the list below, or simply enjoy them in your own way.

May River Road leads you to Bluffton and has long preserved tree-covered sections that form leafy tunnels beginning at Stoney Creek and ending right downtown.

Pinckney Colony Road is an old farm road that carries you beneath curtains of Spanish moss and past horses and even fields of daffodils when in season. (Right from U.S. 278, approximately 3 miles one way. No outlet.)

U.S. 17 at Switzerland south of Ridgeland will provide an interesting detour. This section of the coastal highway passes through the unincorporated community of Switzerland where massive live oaks form a nearly mile-long tunnel and a side road will make a nice loop to return to your tour. (S.C. 462 to S.C. 336. Take a left onto Bees Creek Road and then south on U.S. 17. Return along this route to turn left on S.C. 462 to continue tour.)

Salzburg Landing Road is a well-maintained dirt road leading to a public boat landing. This historic path was used by the Union Army during the battle of Honey Hill and today large live oaks seem to lean in on travelers as they make their way toward the landing. (Right from S.C. 462, approximately 2 miles. Road is dirt but hard packed and very scenic. No outlet.)

Cotton Hall Road will take you back toward the coast and past some very famous and picturesque sights including a pass by the majestic avenue of oaks at historic Tomotley Plantation. (From S.C. 462, take U.S. 17N or I-95 to Point South and continue on US 17N. At 3 miles, turn left onto Cotton Hall Road. Tomotley Plantation is private.)

Old Sheldon Church Road will take you past one of the most iconic images if the Lowcountry: the ruins of Old Sheldon Church. The ruins of this brick edifice are protected but the grounds are open to the public during daylight. A good stop to stretch your legs and experience a historic wonder. (Right from Cotton Hall Road.; church ruins on the left. Continue tour toward Beaufort.)

Old Jericho Road is worth a visit as you enter Beaufort. This tree-shaded road stretches for approximately 1 mile between massive live oak arches and passes by a pretty farmhouse built in 1921. (Left from Parris Island Gateway just past intersection with S.C. 170.)

Meridian Road passes along the west side of Lady’s Island and it preserves a beautiful tree-covered lane. (Left from U.S. 21S to dead end at at Sea Island Parkway. Turn right to continue tour.)

Martin Luther King Jr. Drive to Lands End Road can be found on St. Helena Island and the historic Frogmore community. Pass through Beaufort and its own live-oak shaded beauty and take U.S. 21S to the Sea Islands. At Frogmore, turn right onto Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and drive along an oak-lined passage through historic Penn Center. From there the route changes into Lands End Road and it will take you to a quiet community on Port Royal Sound. (Left onto Seaside Road to continue tour.)

Langford Road is a half-mile detour that will take you along a one-lane farm road and a unique live oak tunnel. (Continue to intersection of Seaside Road and US 21S. Left onto Coffin Point Road.)

Coffin Point Road/Avenue of Oaks is a live oak tunnel created by the avenue of oaks that still leads to a historic Sea Island plantation house. Driving slowly beneath these massive live oaks on a sunny day makes it seem as if you are passing beneath a sea of leafy green and diamonds. At its end, you will need to turn around and re-trace your path, but you will not mind another journey beneath the embracing branches. (Coffin Point Plantation house is a private residence.)

So if you want to spend an enjoyable morning touring the Lowcountry, roll down the windows, put down the convertible top or warm up the motorcycle because these beautiful canopied roads await your visit.

Before you go

Each of these roads and byways is public, so be sure to follow traffic laws and plan accordingly. Please know that many of these canopied roads are in residential areas so avoid turning around in driveways or trespassing on private property.

Some of the roads are not paved and you will need to know the limitations of your vehicle or plan for the effects of weather. It is possible to make this tour in 2 to 3 hours, and so it is possible to visit all in a single day.

For more information on some of these canopied roads mentioned here, a free, printable map resource is available through Beaufort County: https://beaufortcountysc.gov/planning/documents/Beaufort%20County%20Canopy%20Roads.pdf